Thursday, April 30, 2015

Thursday, April 30

*Bell Ringer: Reminder of what to teach while presenting as well as American Voice
*Presentations
*Amber Petersen, Amber Pedersen, Thomas, Delia, Brett, Hannah, Violet
*Andy, Yana
*American Poetic Voice final hand out for those gone tomorrow
*Reminder, BwF half way check is TOMORROW

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Wednesday, April 29 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: American Voices of the authors we have read together (fourth block)
*Reminder of what is needed for each poem, what you will be presenting.
*Lottery order for presentations

*Presentations: tomorrow for those gone Friday
Reminder: Books with Friends half way check on FRIDAY!!!

American Voices for 4th Block

Work with your group to answer these questions about the author(s) that you have been given:
*Overall Question: How does their writing exemplify the (or an) American voice?
*How does their writing show America at their point in time?
*What does their writing say about people and society?

*Thinking of all, what aspect(s) of America are not reflected with the voices so far?

Authors: *Dickinson and Bradstreet, Whitman, Thoreau and Emerson, William Carlos Williams and other modern poets

When you comment, put the author(s)'s name(s) at the top of the comment and then your answers.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Tuesday, April 28 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: American Voices answers
*Posting on your author(s)
*Current Poets Research: Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, Marilyn Hacker, Dana Gioia, Jack Kerouac, Pedro Pietri, Marc Smith, Taylor Mali, Robert Pinsky, Li Young, AND LOTS MORE TO CHOOSE FROM

*Research and Work Time
Poems due and presented on Thursday and Friday

The American Voice and Authors We Have Read

Work with your group to answer these questions about the author(s) that you have been given:
*Overall Question: How does their writing exemplify the (or an) American voice?
*How does their writing show America at their point in time?
*What does their writing say about people and society?

*Thinking of all, what aspect(s) of America are not reflected with the voices so far?

Authors: *Dickinson and Bradstreet, Whitman, Thoreau and Emerson, William Carlos Williams and other modern poets

When you comment, put the author(s)'s name(s) at the top of the comment and then your answers.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Monday, April 27 Agenda

First Block:
*Bell Ringer: Presentations, take notes
*American Voices groups:
*What is the American voice: your group needs a few different ideas/definitions/aspects to definition
*Dickinson and Bradstreet, Whitman, Thoreau and Emerson, William Carlos Williams and other modern poets
*Overall Question: How does their writing exemplify the (or an) American voice?
*How does their writing show America at their point in time?
*What does their writing say about people and society?
*Thinking of all, what aspect(s) of America are not reflected with the voices so far?
*BOOKS WITH FRIENDS half way check Friday, so use time if you have it
*
*
*Fourth Block:
*American Voices groups:
*What is the American voice: your group needs a few different ideas/definitions/aspects to definition
*Write up on white board (also write on a sheet of paper for tomorrow)
*American Voices answers
*Current Poets Research: Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, Marilyn Hacker, Dana Gioia, Jack Kerouac, Pedro Pietri, Marc Smith, Taylor Mali, Robert Pinsky, Li Young, AND LOTS MORE TO CHOOSE FROM
*Research and Work Time
*We will present the Modern Poems tomorrow and discuss how the authors we’ve read so far show the American Voice (when everyone is here for the whole block…)
*BOOKS WITH FRIENDS half way check Friday, so use time if you have it

*

American Voice

Dictionary Definition of Voice:
* an instrument or medium of expression <the party became the voice of the workers>
*wish, choice, or opinion openly or formally expressed <the voice of the people>
*right of expression; also :  influential power

*What is the American voice: your group needs a few different ideas/definitions/aspects to definition

Friday, April 24, 2015

Friday, April 24 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: Grab blue book: Discuss “Song of Myself” then Whitman and Dickinson
*Modern Era Review
*Modern Era Poem Explicating Practice with Partner pg 930
*Movements of Modern Era poetry: Notes and group work
*Read all poems together, then:
*With your group, plan if any research needs to be done before tomorrow, then do it if necessary
*Work time on poems: you will TEACH them at:
*Annotate, teach (explain in detail) anything/everything you think needs explaining, meanings (literal and figurative), poetic devices, background, connection to Modern Era and poetic movements

*What is the poem about? Surface (what happens in the poem, story)? Deeper (theme, message, big picture)?
If also in a text book, what are some of the questions the book asks?
Is there any pattern (word, rhyme, image, etc)?
What poetry terms are used in the poem? How do they contribute to the meaning?
Alliteration, symbolism, personification, rhyme, repetition, figurative language (simile, metaphor, imagery), allusions, others?
What characteristics from our notes can be seen in the poem? How does it fit into this era? (imagism, free-verse, objectivism, etc)
Is there a format? (What does it look like, mechanics, line breaks, etc)
What rules does the poem follow or break?
(Page 4 folks…) Ars Poetica: a statement by the poet about poetry, about his or her beliefs about what poetry is and about what it does. What does the poem demonstrate about poetry? 

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Thursday, April 23 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: Note check of Bradstreet, then discussion
*Walt Whitman
*“Oh Captain! My Captain!” pg 375
*Analysis of what is the literal level, what is the figurative level
*Whitman: Note check of “Oh Captain! My Captain”
*“Song of Myself” pg 368
*With a partner, analyze sections 6, 31 and 32 by thinking about and taking notes on these topics/questions:
—*Romantics/Transcendentalists –emotion over reason, individual over society, common people over aristocracy, freedom over control, nature over human works.
¡How does Whitman’s poem (sections 6, 31, 32) show each of these?
¡Why does a child ask about the grass? How can childhood be connected to Romanticism?
—*What could grass symbolize? (multiple things, quotes that show)
—*What is he saying about death?
—*How does Whitman’s work use parallel structure (repetition)?

*Homework:
In WN: What do you think are some stylistic (format, structure, conventions) and ideological (beliefs, views, etc) similarities and differences between Dickinson (talked about her yesterday) and Whitman? Please list as many as you can think of, if you want to do a venn diagram or a chart, that’s fine. 


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Wednesday, April 22 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: Discuss Emily Dickinson’s poetry
*Extended Metaphor Discussion
*Anne Bradstreet –Notes
* “Upon the Burning of Our House” pg 118
*Analyze the poem (also, how do you see Puritan characteristics)
*The Author to Her Book” (on own or with partner)
ANALYZING POEMS:
*Read through one time.
*Figure meanings of unknown words, think/write questions, comments, thoughts about the poem.
*Read again.
*Is there a rhyme scheme? What is it? Repetition? Figurative language? What poetic devices? Annotate the poem, marking these ideas on your sheet, with line numbers.
*Read a third time.
*What are some possible meanings? What happens in it? What parts of the poem make you think what you do about it? Make sure to refer to line numbers.
*Bradstreet-how do you see Puritan Characteristics?
*When done, keep notes, come get “The Author to Her Book” (analyze this poem as well –follow steps above, then answer these/annotate on poem)
*What lines imply Bradstreet sees herself as unworthy to write?
*Interpret lines 3-5 of “The Author to Her Book”
*What do you think about her attitude that the book is an additional child? Is this a good comparison (how are they similar or not)?

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Tuesday, April 21 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: Time to finish Thoreau posters
*Present Posters (main ideas of Thoreau)
*Quick example poem explication/analysis: explicate/analyze four poems
*Find the 4 poems you wrote about and write your insights (just a few of your interpretations) on the posts (Schoology)
*Explicate/Analyze the rest of the packet (4th block), and add more to those you did last night
*Read and analyze/explicate “Because I could not stop for Death-” on page 548/sheet
*In notes/on sheet (these questions are on the back of the poem):
*What is this extended metaphor comparing?  List three specific comparisons you can find in the poem.
*How do the three images (visual images seen during the ride) reflect stages of life? What parts of life is she saying goodbye to?
*How would you describe the overall mood of the poem?  Does this mood reflect the speaker’s attitude toward death? Be specific
*“Because I could not stop for Death” stuff due tomorrow
Link to poem
*Read or journal for BwF if you finish before the class moves on (at any point)

Monday, April 20, 2015

Monday, April 20 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: WN: Can high schoolers ever truly follow Transcendental ideas? Be specific on which ideas (think Emerson) or acts (think Thoreau) they can or can’t follow and why you think that.  Don’t think of adults, think of you and your peers…
*Thoreau continued
*“Civil Disobedience” 390, read some together
*Questions on same sheet as Walden
*Walden/Civil Disobedience Discussion
*Find your poetry terms sheet, read through to remind yourself of all of the ideas we look for in poetry (we will be looking at poetry for a few days, so if you aren’t sure on definitions, check different resources as well)
*Emily Dickinson p546 (READ THIS IF YOU FINISH THOREAU BEFORE WE MOVE ON)
*Read ‘author’s style’ pg 547 (add any definitions to poetry terms sheet, if necessary)
*HOMEWORK: Read through all of her poems.  Once you’ve read them all, pick three from the packet and one from the sheet on its own. For all four, write your interpretation and analysis of them in your notes

*Analyzing Poetry
*Read through one time
*Figure meanings of unknown words, think/write questions, comments, thoughts about the poem
*Read again
*Is there a rhyme scheme? What is it? Repetition? Figurative language? What poetic devices?
*How can we see influence of Dickinson’s life in the poem? Is the author the same as the speaker?
*Read a third time
*What are some possible meanings? What happens in it? What parts of the poem make you think what you do about it?

Friday, April 17, 2015

Nature Selfies Part 2






Friday, April 17 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: In Writer’s Notebook: If society values conformity over individualism, why do nonconformists seem to have the greatest impact on society? Why can nonconformists change society so radically (think of Caesar, Jesus, Martin Luther, MLK Jr., etc)? Who are some nonconformists that are impacting our culture today? Be prepared to share your answer to at least one of the above questions in discussion.
*Main Ideas of sections (and quick small group discussion)
*How can we still see echoes of Emerson today? BE SPECIFIC
*Editing of timed essay (using ‘suggesting’ mode on google drive): need by end of block
*Thoreau Notes
*Walden pg 382, only read sections on top of sheet
*Questions: due Monday
*Nature Journal Check


Nature Selfies





Thursday, April 16, 2015

Thursday, April 16 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: In writer’s notebook: What does it mean to be self-reliant? What does it mean to conform? What is a nonconformist? What are the positive and negative connotations of the words conform and nonconformist?
*American Voices (new topic)
*Transcendentalist Notes Review
*Give me answers to self-reliant/conform/nonconformist questions, then read for BwF or work on outline
*Final Prep for the Essay (15 min)
*Individual and Society Essay/ACT Essay Prep
*45 minutes
*Make sure to prove all ‘I cans’ and analyze to prove your thesis
*Shared on Google Docs 

*Ralph Waldo Emerson
*Read Self-Reliance pg 278 (or print out), ?s sheet while you read
    *Self-Reliance Questions
*Homework: Emerson reading/questions, Nature Journal, BwF reading/journal
*Homework: Nature Journaling: Go outside or sit at a window without background noise (TV, music, etc) and write about what you see and think.  A nature journal primarily records your responses to and reflections about the world of nature around you.  This entry should be at least 3/4ths of a page (Writer’s Notebook)
*Remember, if you want a little bit of extra credit, you can post a nature selfie as a comment to this post (taken while you are doing your nature journal)


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Wednesday, April 15 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: Take out nonfiction texts and questions from yesterday
*In groups discuss:
*Main Point of “Stride Toward Freedom.” How does his main point and purpose connect?
*Main Point of Malcolm X’s interview. How does his main point and purpose connect?
*Discuss their similar and differing views.  Are they more similar or different overall?
*How does their life experience influence their views/beliefs/techniques for fighting racial injustice? Be very specific 
*Introduce Final Essay for Individual and Society
*Outlining Time for Individual and Society ACT essay
*If you finish before we move on, read for BwF

*

MLK and Malcolm X Discussion

*In groups discuss:
*Main Point of “Stride Toward Freedom.” How does his main point and purpose connect?
*Main Point of Malcolm X’s interview. How does his main point and purpose connect?
*Discuss their similar and differing views.  Are they more similar or different overall?
*How does their life experience influence their views/beliefs/techniques for fighting racial injustice? Be very specific 

Once you have discussed these ideas and have come to a consensus on your thoughts, post to this as a comment your group's opinions. 

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Tuesday, April 14 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: Look through question sheet with partner, turn in (5 minutes)
*Large group discussion of “There Will Come Soft Rains”
*Quick reminder of Civil Rights era
*Bio of MLK 1202, Bio of X 1218
*MLK and Malcolm X
*“Stride Toward Freedom” pg 1220/packet
*“Necessary to Protect Ourselves” pg 1224/packet
*Annotate to help you answer these questions:
*How do these men differ on their beliefs about society (and the country) and the individual, or about equality, or anything else?  Do they share any beliefs, if so, what?
*What was the author’s purpose of each text?
*For each man, how does their background shape their purpose and beliefs? (think about the bios we read earlier)
*When done, bring questions up to check, then read or journal for BwF


Monday, April 13, 2015

Monday, April 13 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: In WN, other than the fact that “Harrison Bergeron” fits in the dystopian definition, how can we see Post-Modern characteristics?  Give specific pieces of textual evidence to support your answer.
*Small Group and then Large group discussion on “Harrison Bergeron
*“There Will Come Soft Rains”
*Annotations: Dystopia?, Personification, Repetition (specifically of the idea of rain), Create some discussion questions/prompts while reading
*Get a Partner, Discuss Annotations:
*Is it a dystopia? Evidence to prove/support answer
*What is personified in the story? Why?
*What other than rain did you see repeated? Why do you think he did that?
*Where do you see ideas that demonstrate the topic of society and the individual?
*What were your points/prompts/questions to discuss? Discuss them…
*Grab a question sheet for each of you.  You can work alone or with that same partner. 
*When you are done, turn the questions in.  You can then read or work on your journal entries for BwF until all are finished.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Friday, April 10

*Bell Ringer: “The Lottery” continued: Respond to this quote in your writer’s notebook: “Explaining just what I had hoped the story to say is very difficult. I suppose, I hoped, by setting a particularly brutal ancient rite in the present and in my own village to shock the story's readers with a graphic dramatization of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives.” –Shirley Jackson
*Post-Modern Review (look at your notes, add if necessary)
*Look at your Dystopia notes from yesterday, then write in your Writer’s Notebook: Why would dystopias be a literary concept often used in the Post-Modern era?
*Was “The Lottery” a dystopia? What examples of dystopia can you think of?
*Harrison Bergeron”
*Annotations/Close read: dystopian characteristics, Post-Modern characteristics, society and individual
*Questions on “Harrison Bergeron” in to me/due on Monday

*Read book for BwF while waiting for all to be done

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Thursday, April 9 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: WN: Pick one of the words on the board that you believe fits with “The Lottery” and explain how you believe this story shows society’s impact on the individual being the word you chose (again, textual evidence is always a plus).
*Small Group Discussion of “The Lottery
*Shirley Jackson’s “biography of the story
*Read through and answer these questions, due in 25-35 minutes:
*Would you have imagined that much of an emotional response from people based on the story? Why yes or no?
*On the back, you see three brackets with ‘questions’ in the margin, answer those.
*What is your reaction to the end of her ‘biography’?
*When you finish, read your book for BwF
*Large Group discussion of “The Lottery” using the half sheet you were supposed to use to discuss, then discussion of Biography
*Literary Concept: Dystopia
*Somewhere in Notes: paraphrase the definition on the next slide
*Dystopia: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.
*Characteristics of a Dystopian Society
*Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.
*• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
*Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
*Citizens live in a dehumanized state.
*Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

*• The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world. 

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Wednesday, April 8 Agenda

*Bell Ringer: In WN, finish this statement and then support yourself in a paragraph: Perkins-Gillman proves that society’s impact on the individual is    because   . Be as thorough as you can be, textual evidence is always a plus.
*Discuss “The Yellow Wallpaper”
*Small group, discuss comments, discussion questions and then summaries** –what is the story about, how does it show social issues (the role of women) and additional questions
***summary of your interpretation of the story, especially the ending of the story- share with your group after you’ve discussed annotations and questions
*Do you believe that Perkins-Gillman achieved her purpose through this story? (What do you believe her purpose was, why yes or no?)
*Literary Concepts: foreshadowing, satire
*Satire: a technique where foolish customs/traditions/ideas are ridiculed for the purpose of improving society, it is often accomplished through humor or wit, but isn’t always (it can be abrasive or bitterly critical)
*“The Lottery”
*Read through, annotating ideas of society and individual as well as other basic annotations
*3. Looking back into the story, how do you feel that Tessie Hutchinson was singled out by the author to be the ‘winner’ of the lottery?
*When done, grab the questions and when someone else is also done, work with them as your partner.